| Data years | 2020-2024[1][2][3][4][5] |
|---|---|
| Deaths in car accidents, 2020-2024 | 3,307[1][2][3][4][5] |
| Deaths in car accidents, 2024 | 603[5] |
| Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents | 14.6[1][2][3][4][5][6] |
| Population, July 1, 2024 (estimate) | 4,584,046[6] |
| 2024 data file | FARS Annual Report File[5] |
Kentucky recorded 3,307 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, accounting for 85.9% of the state's 3,851 traffic deaths during that period. In 2024, the car accident death count was 603, representing 85.3% of the 707 traffic deaths recorded that year. These counts describe deaths in crashes that happened in Kentucky, regardless of where the people who died lived.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
For these Kentucky car accident statistics, a car accident means a fatal crash involving at least one passenger car, SUV, pickup or van. The death count includes everyone killed in those crashes, across the person categories listed below. The figures use NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Census Bureau population estimates, with population estimates used to calculate average annual death rates.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Contents
Car accident deaths in Kentucky by year
Annual car accident deaths numbered 675 in 2020, 684 in 2021, 638 in 2022, 707 in 2023 and 603 in 2024. The highest count was 707 in 2023, and the lowest was 603 in 2024. The 2024 count was 72 deaths lower than the 2020 count.[1][2][3][4][5]
Kentucky accounted for 1.9% of the national total of 176,219 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024. Its yearly share of the U.S. total was 2.0% in 2020, 1.8% in 2021, 1.7% in 2022, 2.0% in 2023 and 1.8% in 2024. These national shares concern deaths in qualifying passenger-vehicle-involved crashes, rather than all traffic deaths.[1][2][3][4][5]
| Year | Deaths in car accidents | All traffic deaths | Share in car accidents | Share of U.S. total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 675 | 780 | 86.5% | 2.0% |
| 2021 | 684 | 806 | 84.9% | 1.8% |
| 2022 | 638 | 744 | 85.8% | 1.7% |
| 2023 | 707 | 814 | 86.9% | 2.0% |
| 2024 | 603 | 707 | 85.3% | 1.8% |
2024 figures come from the FARS Annual Report File and can be revised when NHTSA publishes the final file.
Who died in Kentucky car accidents
People in cars, SUVs, pickups or vans accounted for 2,533 deaths, or 76.6% of Kentucky's car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024. This was the largest person category. People in other vehicles accounted for 305 deaths, or 9.2%, the smallest category. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) accounted for 469 deaths, or 14.2%.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Each category counts deaths in fatal crashes involving a passenger vehicle, including deaths involving other vehicle types. Nonoccupants (FARS person-type grouping) follows the FARS classification and can include occupants of parked motor vehicles.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Collision types and setting
Car accident deaths by manner of collision were Angle (side impact), 698; Head-on, 472; Rear-end, 203; Sideswipe, 174; Other, 22; and Unknown, 3. Not a collision with a motor vehicle in transport accounted for 1,735 deaths, or 52.5%. That label means the first harmful event was not a collision between motor vehicles in transport, such as a rollover or striking a fixed object. Vehicles stopped in traffic can be in transport.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Daytime accounted for 1,797 deaths (54.3%), and nighttime for 1,509 (45.6%). Urban locations recorded 1,263 deaths (38.2%), and rural locations recorded 2,036 (61.6%). Time of day was unknown for 1 death; land use was unknown for 8 deaths.[1][2][3][4][5][7]
Counties with the most car accident deaths
Jefferson County recorded 550 car accident deaths from 2020 through 2024, followed by Fayette County with 177, Hardin County with 92, Warren County with 79 and Pike County with 69. The listed counts continue with Pulaski County, 62; McCracken County, 58; Bullitt County, 56; Christian County, 50; Daviess County, 50; Laurel County, 50; Floyd County, 47; Madison County, 46; Scott County, 46; and Barren County, 45.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Death counts and population-based rates give different comparisons. Among the listed counties, Floyd County had the highest average annual deaths per 100,000 residents at 26.7, while Madison County had the lowest at 9.6. Jefferson County's rate was 14.0. These rate rankings apply only among the listed counties, and deaths are assigned by crash county.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| County | Deaths, 2020-2024 | Average annual deaths per 100,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 550 | 14.0 |
| Fayette County | 177 | 11.0 |
| Hardin County | 92 | 16.4 |
| Warren County | 79 | 11.2 |
| Pike County | 69 | 24.3 |
| Pulaski County | 62 | 18.8 |
| McCracken County | 58 | 17.2 |
| Bullitt County | 56 | 13.3 |
| Christian County | 50 | 13.9 |
| Daviess County | 50 | 9.7 |
| Laurel County | 50 | 15.9 |
| Floyd County | 47 | 26.7 |
| Madison County | 46 | 9.6 |
| Scott County | 46 | 15.4 |
| Barren County | 45 | 20.0 |
Up to 15 counties with the most deaths in the period, largest first. Rates for counties with few deaths change sharply with each death.
How Kentucky compares with the national rate
Kentucky's car accident death rate was 14.6 average annual deaths per 100,000 residents for 2020 through 2024, compared with the national rate of 10.5. The state rate was higher than the national rate. The corresponding death counts were 3,307 for Kentucky and 176,219 for the United States.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
These rates use deaths during the period and the sum of annual Census Bureau population estimates. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors. Kentucky's separately reported July 1, 2024 population estimate of 4,584,046 is not the rate's denominator. Readers searching for a car accident lawyer should keep the grouping in mind: these counts follow crash location, not the home addresses of those who died.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
About these figures
FARS is a census of fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes. Inclusion requires a motor vehicle traveling on a trafficway customarily open to the public and an occupant or nonoccupant death within 30 days. Nonfatal crashes and injuries are excluded. State and county counts use the crash location, not the deceased person's residence.[8][6][7]
The 2020 through 2023 figures use FARS Final Files. The 2024 Annual Report File remains subject to revision when NHTSA publishes the Final File. Average annual rates divide period deaths by summed annual Census Bureau population estimates from Vintage 2025, then multiply by 100,000. They do not adjust for miles driven or visitors; the separate July 1, 2024 estimate is not their denominator.[8][6][7]
See also
References
- abcdefghijklmnopqrst "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrst "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2021 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrst "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrst "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2023 national data files (Final File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv "Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2024 national data files (Annual Report File)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefghijkl "Annual resident population estimates for counties, April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 (CO-EST2025-ALLDATA)". U.S. Census Bureau. Official source. Checked . Source record
- abcdefgh "Fatality Analysis Reporting System Analytical User's Manual, 1975-2024 (DOT HS 813 794)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record
- ab "Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024 (DOT HS 813 791, April 2026)". National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Official source. Checked . Source record